Childbirth question ....?

Question

During childbirth, is it necessary to cut that part down there so that the baby's head can come out ? Is it necessary in all cases ?

Answer 1

No and episiotomies are becoming less popular everyday.  They are, in large part, a convenience to dr.'s so it is easier to stitch after wards.  If you start a tear, it is easier for that tear to increase once pressure is tied, making the tear bigger than if left alone.

Answer 2

Its called an episotomy and no its not necessary all the time. It has been proved that letting a woman tear naturally does less damage then cutting her. I was cut with my daughter(9lbs1oz) and had 9 stiches. It was very uncomfortable for a few weeks.

Answer 3

I think the doctor usually determines that ahead of time, based on the approximate size of the baby and your...um...hole. I didn't end up having to have mine cut, but did end up getting just two stitches (sounds bad, but I didn't even notice...and that actually isn't a lot at all). But, I've heard that if they do decide that it needs to be cut, that it's much better for you than having it get ripped.  

Answer 4

Except in the case of an emergency, an episiotomy is generally not necessary. Although they used to be done routinely, and largely for the convenience for the doctor, they are much less common today.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_all-about-ep...

Answer 5

No. It is not necessary, if the doctor thinks that you need to be cut because you are going to rip then he will do what is needed to be done. I was not cut, therefore i had no stitches.  

Answer 6

No it is not necessary.  Only if the baby is having a hard time coming out. Or they think he/she is too big. Something like that.  Guess they do it so you do not have to rip. But in most cases they do not. Heard of some doctors doing it before just in case.

Answer 7

No.  My first child I had to be cut because my son had the cord wrapped around his neck twice and was unable to breath--so we didn't have time to stretch me out properly.

However, my most recent birth I was able to take my time, and I wasn't cut, nor did I tear :)  And this baby was so much bigger as well!!  

Answer 8

Episiotomies are rarely performed anymore.  It is easier to heal from a tear than a cut.  If they cut you then you usual tear beyond that as well.  Not every woman tears.

Answer 9

It's not always necessary.  It's called an episiotomy, as you probably know, and the trouble is that it is sometimes thought to be done unnecessarily.  You should have the right to refuse one if you wish.  However, if the baby's heartbeat is starting to drop and take longer to come back up, you should accept it.  This happened during the birth of my first child, but I didn't have one with my second.  Another thing is that sometimes an episiotomy can prevent bad tearing, which takes longer to heal.  An episiotomy cut is easier to repair.  Of course, if you are in labour, you will be in no fit state to make an informed decision, so it makes sense to think about it in advance and include it in your birth plan if you have strong feelings.  My feeling is that it is best to go along with what is advised.  There is a concern that sometimes health professionals carry out this procedure simply to speed things up, but I think that only happens in a small percentage of cases.  

I should point out that it is not painful.  You are so numb down below by the time you reach the stage of needing one that you don't feel it.  Before they stitch it up, they give some local anaesthetic, but I didn't even feel the needle.  Good luck and don't worry about an episiotomy.